Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office

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08/15/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

COEUR D’ALENE MAN RETURNS TO PRISON FOR INJURY TO CHILD AND S*XUAL BATTERY

Anthony William Peter Herrera, 41, was convicted of two counts of Injury to Child and two counts of Sexual Battery. The charges stem from an investigation into an allegation that Herrera had put his hands down the pants of a minor child. Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that Herrera had s*xually battered seven different children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old. Injury to Child is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sexual Battery is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. Herrera was sentenced on August 5, 2026, by District Judge Barry McHugh.

Herrera was previously convicted of injury to child in 2009, following an investigation into an allegation that Herrera (22 years old at the time) had s*x with a 15-year-old minor child. In that case, Herrera was placed probation after completing treatment while on a rider. A rider (more formally known as a ‘retained jurisdiction’) allows a defendant to spend up to one year in a prison-based treatment program before becoming eligible for probation. However, less than a year later, Herrera violated his probation and was sent to prison. Herrera’s criminal history also includes convictions for stalking, DUI, fishing without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without privileges.

At sentencing on August 5, 2026, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nick Lepire recommended a unified 20-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 10 years along with a no contact order prohibiting Herrera from contacting the victims in the case.

District Judge Barry McHugh sentenced Herrera to a unified 20-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 12 years and issued a no contact order prohibiting Herrera from contacting the victims in the case.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Criminal Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura McClinton and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nick Lepire for prosecuting the case and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating the case. The Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office aggressively prosecutes child abuse and attempts to use its voice to speak for the most helpless and vulnerable of victims.

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08/10/2026

****NEWS RELEASE****

‘HABITUAL DRUNKARD’ SENT TO PRISON FOLLOWING 9TH AND 10TH LIFETIME DUI’S

David Anthony Pica, Jr., 62, was found guilty of two counts of felony DUI. On July 17, 2025, a citizen observed Pica stumbling, almost falling, while getting into his vehicle outside of a local bar. The citizen called law enforcement and Pica was quickly located and pulled over. Pica was unable to stand straight while attempting to perform field sobriety evaluations – nearly falling on his face while trying to follow the officer’s finger. Pica admitted to drinking only three beers but provided two breath samples revealing a breath alcohol concentration of 0.284/0.284 – more than three times the legal limit of 0.08. Pica was released from jail after posting bond with an order preventing him from consuming alcoholic beverages. Pica plead guilty to felony DUI on October 23, 2025. However, only a week later, a warrant was issued for Pica’s arrest after he tested positive for consuming alcoholic beverages. Pica then failed to appear for sentencing on January 6, 2026, and remained on the run until February 9, 2026, when he was arrested – again – for felony DUI. This time, Pica refused to complete field sobriety evaluations and to provide a breath sample. Officers obtained a search warrant and collected a sample of Pica’s blood which was analyzed, revealing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.149 – despite his claim that his last drink was “probably a week ago.” On July 7, 2026, Pica plead guilty – again – to felony DUI. These were Pica’s 9th and 10th lifetime convictions for DUI. Pica’s criminal history also includes convictions for petit theft, driving without privileges, criminal endangerment, and several probation violations.

Felony DUI is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Having previously been convicted of three prior felony offenses, Pica was also convicted of being a Persistent Violator (sometimes called ‘habitual’ or ‘repeat offender’). This enhancement mandates that a prison sentence be no less than 5 years but allows a Court to extend a sentence by up to life. Pica was sentenced on August 10, 2026, by District Judge Ross Pittman.

At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jefferson Douglas recommended a unified 40-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years and recommended that Pica be declared a ‘habitual drunkard.’ Upon a finding that someone is a ‘habitual drunkard,’ Idaho Code allows the Idaho Transportation Department to permanently revoke that person’s driving privileges.

District Judge Ross Pittman sentenced Pica to a unified 30-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years and found Pica to be a ‘habitual drunkard.’

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jefferson Douglas for prosecuting the cases and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Idaho State Police for investigating the cases. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “[a]bout 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In 2022, there were 13,524 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2013-2022, about 11,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.”

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08/10/2026

****NEWS RELEASE****

NORTH IDAHO MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR USING EXCAVATOR TO TEAR DOWN HOUSE

Fred Joseph Kudrna IV, 30, was convicted of Burglary, Malicious Injury to Property, Second Offense DUI, and Operating a Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent following a four-day jury trial in May 2026. The charges stem from an incident on November 11, 2025, when Kudrna used an excavator to demolish a home in a new neighborhood under construction. Shortly before 6am, several neighbors woke up to the sound of the excavator tearing the house down. Although it was too dark to see who was driving the excavator, the neighbors watched as it was driven away from the wreckage and parked in a nearby field. Only moments later, a neighbor positively identified Kudrna leaving the area in a black van. Responding officers located Kudrna who was still in the area in his black van. Kudrna admitted to drinking several beers and a cocktail the night before and was arrested for DUI after refusing to complete field sobriety evaluations and provide a breath sample. While investigating the demolition, officers learned that Kudrna worked as a pipelayer for the company who owned the excavator but did not have permission to operate the excavator, nor was he trained to do so. However, Kudrna’s DNA was located on the controls of the excavator – placing him inside the excavator. Further, a warrant was obtained for Kudrna’s cellphone provider and the location data showed that he was at the scene of the crime while neighbors were placing calls to 911.

While sitting in the patrol car following his arrest, Kudrna rambled on about how he believed there were children and women being trafficked through underground tunnels in the neighborhood. Fortunately, the home was unoccupied and had not yet been placed on the market, as it was days away from completion.

Burglary is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Malicious Injury to Property is a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Second Offense DUI and Operating a Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent are misdemeanors, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and 6 months in jail; respectively. Kudrna was sentenced on August 3, 2026, by District Judge John Cafferty. At the time of sentencing, Kudrna had been in custody for nearly for nearly 9 months.

Kudrna’s criminal history includes convictions for burglary, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, trespassing, petit theft, resisting/obstructing officers, and several probation violations. While in custody, Kudrna incurred several rule violations, including the use of controlled substances.

At sentencing, Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura McClinton recommended a unified 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 8 years for the felony charges and credit for time served for the misdemeanor charges.

District Judge John Cafferty sentenced Kudrna to a unified 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years for the felony charges and credit for time served for the misdemeanor charges.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Criminal Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura McClinton and Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Art Verharen for prosecuting the case, the Post Falls Police Department for investigating the case, and all the neighbors who reported the crime and testified at the trial.

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08/10/2026

****NEWS RELEASE****

POST FALLS DRUG DEALER SENT TO PRISON

Vern Clifford Hinds, 71, was convicted of three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and one count of Trafficking in Methamphetamine following two-day jury trial in May 2026. After learning Hinds was dealing methamphetamine in the community, officers used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Hinds during the months of June and July 2025. On the evening of August 28, 2025, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Hinds was driving and arrested him without incident. Delivery of Methamphetamine is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Trafficking in Methamphetamine is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison with a 3-year mandatory minimum fixed term of imprisonment. Hinds was sentenced on August 3, 2026, by District Judge Regina McCrea.

Hinds’ criminal history includes convictions for DUI, hit and run, driving while suspended, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting/obstructing officers.

At sentencing, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Art Verharen recommended a unified 20-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years for the charges.

District Judge Regina McCrea sentenced Hinds to a unified 20-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years for the charges.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison for prosecuting the cases and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating the case.

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05/28/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

POST FALLS MAN SENT TO PRISON FOR S*X CRIMES

Jeremiah David Kamp, 31, was convicted of two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Child Under The Age of Sixteen Years. The charges stem from incidents between November 2024 and June 2025 in which Kamp abused two minor children under the age of 16 years old. Specifically, Kamp kissed and fondled the 11- and 13-year-old children and forced each child to touch his ge****ls. Each count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Child Under The Age of Sixteen Years is a felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Kamp’s criminal history includes convictions for petit theft, driving without privileges, and injury to child. At the time of the new crimes, Kamp was also on probation for burglary and possession of a controlled substance.

On February 17, 2026, District Judge Ross Pittman found Kamp to be in violation of his probation. Judge Pittman revoked Kamp’s probation and imposed the 8- and 7-year sentences (for burglary and possession of controlled substance; respectively).

On May 20, 2026, District Judge Regina McCrea sentenced Kamp for the new crimes of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Child Under The Age of Sixteen Years. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a unified 40-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years for the crimes. District Judge Regina McCrea sentenced Kamp to a unified 40-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years for the crimes and ordered that the sentence run consecutively to the probation sentences.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Molly Nivison and Shannon Jackson for prosecuting the case and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for investigating the case.

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05/18/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

S*X OFFENDER ON PROBATION SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ATTEMPTED S*XUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTEEN

Wade Thomas Weingart, 50, was convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. The charges stem from an incident in February 2026 when Weingart exposed his p***s to an 11-year-old girl who was shopping in a store. When Weingart saw the girl in the store aisle, he started walking towards her, corralling her into a corner where she could not get away. Weingart then pulled his pants down and exposed his p***s to the young girl. When the young girl told her mother what had happened, the mother attempted to confront Weingart, but he ran out of the store. As Weingart fled the scene, he took his shirt off – likely in an effort to avoid recognition. However, the mother chased after Weingart while calling 911. Officers responded to the area and were able to quickly locate and detain Weingart. Initially, Weingart denied doing anything wrong but eventually admitted that he had strong impulses and had a hard time controlling them. Weingart also told officers that his urges have always been there and that he exposed himself to the young girl because it was something new and exciting for him. Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child Under the Age of Sixteen is a felony, punishable by up to 12 and a half years in prison. Weingart was sentenced on May 14, 2026, by District Judge John Cafferty.

Weingart is a registered s*x offender on federal supervised release, having previously been convicted in federal court of possessing child po*******hy. Weingart violated the terms of his release in 2024 after admitting to viewing child po*******hy on an undisclosed electronic device and consuming alcohol.

At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence with no eligibility for parole with a no contact order.

District Judge John Cafferty sentenced Weingart to a unified 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 8 years with a no contact order.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison for prosecuting this case, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and United States Probation Office for investigating this case, and the victim and her mother for bravely coming forward in reporting this case and assisting in the apprehension of Weingart. This office will continue to vehemently prosecute the exploitation of children in an effort to help protect and reach justice for the children and their families.

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05/09/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

COEUR D’ALENE MAN GRANTED PROBATION FOLLOWING PROBATION VIOLATION

In 2025, Thomas William Torgerson, 53, was convicted of felony DUI (Driving Under the Influence). Around noon on September 27, 2024, Torgerson was arrested for DUI. Torgerson admitted to the officer that he had been drinking the night before, failed field sobriety evaluations, and provided two breath samples revealing a breath alcohol concentration of 0.276/0.279 – more than three times the legal limit of 0.08. Felony DUI is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Torgerson was sentenced on August 12, 2025, by District Judge Barbara Duggan. At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 3 years. District Judge Barbara Duggan sentenced Torgerson to a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years but suspended the sentence and placed Torgerson on probation for 4 years and suspended Torgerson’s driver’s license. Torgerson’s criminal history includes convictions for Boating Under the Influence, Careless Driving, and three prior convictions for DUI.

On January 27, 2026, Torgerson was arrested for violating his probation. Specifically, Torgerson failed to provide required breath samples, consumed alcohol, and drove on a suspended license while purchasing more alcohol.
On March 11, 2026, above an objection from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Torgerson was released into a 60-day inpatient treatment program. On May 1, 2026, Torgerson appeared at a disposition hearing in front of District Judge Regina McCrea. At the disposition hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison recommended that Torgerson’s probation be revoked and that his prison sentence be imposed. District Judge Regina McCrea found Torgerson to be in violation of his probation but released him onto a new 4-year period of probation under the condition that he complete the treatment program he was currently enrolled in followed by 6 additional months of outpatient treatment.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating the case. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “[a]bout 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In 2022, there were 13,524 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2013-2022, about 11,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.”

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04/22/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

RATHDRUM MAN SENT TO PRISON FOLLOWING FIFTH LIFETIME DUI AND PROBATION VIOLATION

Amos Edward Dodson, 53, was found guilty of felony DUI. The charge stems from an incident on July 7, 2023, in which an officer pulled Dodson over after witnessing Dodson drive off the roadway and through a grassy swale before driving into a business parking lot. Dodson admitted to the officer that he was drunk but refused to complete field sobriety evaluations. However, Dodson provided two breath samples revealing a breath alcohol concentration of 0.193/0.211. Dodson failed to appear for court early on in the case and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Dodson remained on the run for two and a half years until he was located and arrested in South Carolina. Felony DUI is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Dodson was sentenced on April 20, 2026, by District Judge Regina McCrea.

Dodson’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, malicious mischief, disturbing the peace, leaving the scene of an accident with damage, possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as four prior convictions for DUI. At the time of this case, Dodson was also on felony probation for unlawfully killing a cow elk in 2022.

At sentencing, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Art Verharen recommended a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years in the new DUI case and that Dodson’s probation be revoked and sentence imposed in the probation case.

District Judge Regina McCrea sentenced Dodson to an 8-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 4 years in the new case and revoked Dodson’s probation and imposed the sentence in the probation case.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks the Rathdrum Police Department for investigating the case and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sam Stevens for prosecuting the case. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “[a]bout 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In 2022, there were 13,524 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2013-2022, about 11,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.”

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04/17/2026

**** NEWS RELEASE ****

REPEAT OFFENDER RETURNS TO PRISON

Kevin Allen Guyette, 67, was convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine following a 2-day jury trial in February 2026. The charge stems from a 2025 investigation in which officers used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from a house in which Guyette was a resident. After the drug sale, officers followed and pulled over a vehicle that had just left the residence. Using a drug detection K9, officers obtained a positive alert on the vehicle before searching the vehicle and finding more than one ounce of methamphetamine where Guyette had been seated. Trafficking in Methamphetamine is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison with a 3-year mandatory minimum fixed term of imprisonment. Having previously been convicted of at least two prior felony offenses, Guyette was also convicted of being a Persistent Violator (sometimes called ‘habitual’ or ‘repeat offender’). This enhancement mandates that a prison sentence be no less than 5 years but allows a Court to extend a sentence by up to life. Guyette was sentenced on April 17, 2026, by District Judge Casey Simmons.

Guyette’s criminal history spans more than two decades and includes convictions for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, malicious injury to property, resisting/obstructing officers, and burglary. Guyette was previously convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine in 2015 and was paroled after serving nearly 6 years of his 8-year prison sentence.
At sentencing on April 17, 2026, the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office recommended a 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 6 years.

District Judge Casey Simmons sentenced Guyette to a 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after 5 years.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen thanks the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for investigating this case.

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Coeur D'alene, ID
83814

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